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Is my 27 year old furnace & A/C in need of replacement?

Just wanted to follow up on this - a new capacitor fixed the problem!!! What an easy and cheap fix ($7 @ Grainger). Thanks so much for your help on this.

While I was in there, I noticed how dirty my blower mechanism was - the fins were caked and clogged with dust/hair/lint. So I removed the entire blower assembly and vacuumed/scraped/blewout all of the crud. Put it all back together, and not only did it fire up fast with no more hummmm, it blows so much harder now (I assume from cleaning up all of the fins on the blower).

Is my 27 year old furnace & A/C in need of replacement?

https://www.acca.org/industry/system-design/speedsheets
I am veryn glad things have worked out for you this time but now you may be luckier than you thought.
The best way to save operating money on new equipment by far is to buy a properly sized unit for your individual house.
I don't care if the contractor you use has been doing it for 50 years,if he doesn't do the math he is only guessing and why not,he isn't going to pay your utility bills.
Any honest quote for HVAC work will include a manual "J" and a manual "S".And,,,, AND a manual "D".
Any quote without those calculations are just LAZY quotes.
Its your money,demand that things are done right so that you don't end up living with the wrong equipment.

Is my 27 year old furnace & A/C in need of replacement?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr Blotto

Just wanted to follow up on this - a new capacitor fixed the problem!!! What an easy and cheap fix ($7 @ Grainger). Thanks so much for your help on this.

While I was in there, I noticed how dirty my blower mechanism was - the fins were caked and clogged with dust/hair/lint. So I removed the entire blower assembly and vacuumed/scraped/blewout all of the crud. Put it all back together, and not only did it fire up fast with no more hummmm, it blows so much harder now (I assume from cleaning up all of the fins on the blower).

Anyway, thanks again!!!

Ugh.....

So the hum just came back and the blower will not kick on. Sounds just like it did before I put the new capacitor in several months back - it was working fine. I assume it is the capacitor again, but is there something else that is making them go bad???

Is my 27 year old furnace & A/C in need of replacement?

There is a voltage rating on the capacitor as well as the MFD rating. When you pick up a new capacitor this time ask for a 440 volt model instaed of the 370 volt they likely sold you last time. It's the same capacitance and will work the same, just a little stronger resistance internally. They will last a lot longer.

Is my 27 year old furnace & A/C in need of replacement?

Might want think about replacing furnace if you are wanting to stay in the 80% efficiency line.May 1st you wont be able to get one anymore in this area of country.Also you should remove the main limit and look into the opening, because I have come across a few furnaces with cracks that are visible behind limit.All in same spot where the round dimple is.Usually can feel it if there is one.